Vehicle seating with storage feature

ABSTRACT

A passenger seat for a vehicle includes a seat bottom and a seat back mounted to a frame. The passenger seat includes at least one storage feature. One of the storage features may be a storage unit positioned underneath the seat bottom which is moveable between a first position in which the unit is readily accessible by a seated passenger, and a second position in which the unit is held upright or against the said seat bottom to reduce the intrusion of the unit into the under-seat space. Another storage feature may be a recess formed in the upper part of the seat bottom. The recess is covered by a moveable lid which forms part of the seating surface when closed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/529,686 filed Dec. 15, 2003, and Provisional Application No.60/589,297, filed Jul. 20, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to vehicle seating and moreparticularly to tourist or coach class aircraft seating. Aircraftseating is typically divided into various classes, for example firstclass, business class, and coach or tourist class. For each class ofseating, an individual passenger is allotted a preselected amount ofspace (both area and volume). First-class seats provide the mostindividual space, and also may include features to improve comfort, suchas fully reclining sleeper functions. In contrast, the tourist/coachclass is provided with a relatively small amount of space, in order toprovide the most efficient transportation and lowest cost.

Passengers also typically bring carry-on baggage or other personal itemson to airline flights. These items must be stored in available spaces,such as underneath the seat in front of the passenger's seat. However,given the already limited space, storage of items in these areasdecreases the room available for the passenger to achieve differentseating positions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a vehiclepassenger seat which allows a passenger to store and retrieve variousitems underneath his or her seat.

It is another object the invention to provide a seat bottom for apassenger seat having a built-in storage compartment.

These and other objects are met by the present invention, which in oneembodiment provides a passenger seat including a frame for beingattached to a floor of a vehicle; a seat bottom carried by the frame forsupporting a passenger; an upwardly-extending seat back carried by theframe; and a storage unit disposed underneath the seat bottom, thestorage unit having an access opening disposed at a front end thereof.The storage unit is mounted so as to be moveable between a firstposition in which the access opening is readily accessible by apassenger seated on the seat bottom, and a second position in which thecontainer is held against the a lower surface of the seat bottom so asto reduce the intrusion of the container into a space defined by theseat bottom and the frame.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the storageunit is generally rectangular and includes opposed top and bottom walls,opposed side walls, and a rear wall disposed opposite the accessopening.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the front endof the storage unit is pivotally mounted to the seat bottom.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the passengerseat further includes a releasable latch operable to selectively retainthe storage unit in the first position.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the passengerseat further includes wherein includes a release handle disposed so asto be reachable by a passenger seated on the seat bottom and operablyconnected to the latch so as to release the latch in response tomovement of the handle.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the passengerseat further includes means for selectively retaining the storage unitin the first position.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a passengerseat for a vehicle includes a frame for being attached to a floor of avehicle; an upwardly-extending seat back carried by the frame; a seatbottom disposed on the frame for supporting a passenger, the seat bottomhaving a recess formed therein which is accessible from an upper surfaceof the seat bottom; and a lid disposed over the recess. The lid ismoveable between a closed position in which an upper surface of the lidforms a seating surface; and an open position in which the recess isaccessible.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a rear end ofthe lid is pivotally attached to the seat bottom.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the recessextends downward into a front face of the seat bottom to improve accessthereto.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the lidincludes a downwardly-extending front panel.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the lidincludes at least one finger slot formed therein.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the uppersurface of the lid has upholstery material or padding disposed thereon.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a passengerseat includes a frame for being attached to a floor of a vehicle; a seatbottom carried by the frame for supporting a passenger; anupwardly-extending seat back carried by the frame; and a storage unitdisposed underneath the seat bottom. The storage unit has an accessopening disposed at an upper end thereof. The storage unit is moveablebetween a first position in which the access opening is readilyaccessible by a passenger seated on the seat bottom, and a secondposition in which the storage unit is held in an upright orientationunderneath the seat bottom with the front wall substantially flush witha front edge of the seat bottom.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the storageunit is generally rectangular and includes opposed front and rear walls,opposed side walls, and a bottom wall disposed opposite the accessopening.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the bottom endof the storage unit is pivotally mounted adjacent the floor.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the passengerseat further including means for selectively retaining the storage unitin the first position.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the passengerseat includes a handle disposed so as to be reachable by a passengerseated on the seat bottom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter that is regarded as the invention may be bestunderstood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a passenger seat set having anunder-seat storage unit;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the passenger seat set ofFIG. 1, showing a storage unit thereof in a lowered position;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of passenger seat incorporating astorage unit in a raised position;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view the storage unit of FIG. 4 in alowered position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a passenger seat set having an in-seatstorage compartment; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the passenger seat set of FIG. 5 showinga storage compartment lid in an open position; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a passenger seat set including analternative under-seat storage unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denotethe same elements throughout the various views, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate apassenger seat set 10 including an under-seat storage unit. The seat set10 includes two seats 12 and 14 which are collectively provided withthree arm rests 16, 18, and 20, each shown in the lowered passenger useposition. The seats include seat backs 22 and 22′ and seat bottoms 24and 24′. The seats 12 and 14 are supported by a frame 26. The frame 26is mounted on legs 28 and 30 that are in turn mounted to the deck of theaircraft by track fittings of a known type. For illustrative purposes,the under-seat storage unit feature is only shown in detail with respectto the seat 12, however it will be understood that another storage unitmay also be implemented on the other seat 14.

The storage unit 32 comprises a container having an access opening 34 atits front end 36, opposed top and bottom walls 38 and 40, opposed sidewalls 42 and 44, and a rear wall 46 at its aft end 48. The storage unit32 is mounted under the seat bottom 24 and is accessible by a seatedpassenger by reaching under the seat cushion for storage of small items,indicated generally at 50. In order to improve the accessibility of thestorage unit 32 for loading and unloading, it may be tilted downward asshown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In the illustrated example, this motion isfacilitated by mounting the storage unit 32 to the seat bottom 24 by alaterally-extending hinge 52 attached to the top wall 38 near the frontend 36.

The illustrated storage unit 32 includes a latching mechanism comprisinga pivotally mounted release handle 54, a connecting rod 56, a latch 58including a hook 60, and a return spring 62. As shown in FIG. 3, thehook 62 engages a slot 64 in the seat bottom 24 to hold the storage unit32 in a position parallel to the seat bottom 24, which minimizes theintrusion of the storage unit 32 into the space below the seat bottom24. The latch 58 is held in this latched position by the return spring62. The storage unit 32 may be pivoted downward to improve access forloading and unloading as shown in FIG. 4 by pivoting the release handle54 forward, in turn causing the connecting rod 56 to pull the latch 58to a released position, disengaging the hook 60 from the slot 64. Itwill be understood that the method of mounting the storage unit 32 aswell as securing it may be varied to suit a particular application, solong as the unit can be selectively held in a position in which it isdisposed out of the way of the space underneath the seat bottom 24, tominimize its intrusion into that space and leave room for a passenger'sfeet or storage of other objects.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a passenger seat set 110 including an in-seatstorage compartment. The seat set 110 includes two seats 112 and 114which are collectively provided with three arm rests 116, 118, and 120,each shown in the lowered passenger use position. The seats include seatbacks 122 and 122′ and seat bottoms 124 and 124′. The seats 112 and 114are supported by a frame 126. The frame 126 is mounted on legs 128 and130 which are in turn mounted to the deck of the aircraft by trackfittings of a known type.

The storage compartment, denoted 132, comprises a recess 134 built intothe upper surface of the seat bottom 124. The recess 134 is defined byone more side panels 136 and a bottom panel 138. The front edge 140 ofthe recess 134 may extend downward into the front face 142 of the seatbottom 124 to improve access. The storage compartment 132 may be usedfor storage of small items, indicated generally at 144. A lid 146 isprovided which is hinged to the seat bottom 124, in this case near theback of the seat bottom 124. The lid 146 covers and encloses the recess134 in the closed position as shown in FIG. 15 and provides access tothe recess 134 when it is pivoted upward to the open position as shownin FIG. 16. The lid 146 comprises a top panel 148 which conforms to theprofile of the seat bottom 124. The upper surface of the top panel 148may be covered in padding and/or upholstery as desired. An optionalfront panel 150 is connected to the top panel 148 and serves to coverthe front face 142 of the seat bottom 124. The top panel 148 may includemeans for opening the lid 146, such as the finger slot 152 illustrated.Other means for opening the lid 146, such as a handle attached thereto(not shown), may also be provided. If desired means of a known type (notshown) may be provided for latching and/or locking the lid 146 in theopen or closed positions.

FIG. 7 illustrates a passenger seat set 210 including an alternativeunder-seat storage unit. The seat set 210 is identical to the seat set10 and includes two seats 212 and 214 which are collectively providedwith three arm rests 216, 218, and 220. The seats 212 and 214 includeseat backs 222 and 222′ and seat bottoms 224 and 224′. The seats 212 and214 are supported by a frame 226 which is mounted on legs 228 and 230that are in turn mounted to the deck of the aircraft by track fittingsof a known type. Storage units 232 and 232′ are mounted underneath seats212 and 214, respectively. The storage units 232 and 232′ aresubstantially identical in construction.

Each storage unit 232 and 232′ comprises a container having an accessopening 234 at its upper end, opposed back and front walls 238 and 240,opposed side walls 242 and 244, and a bottom wall 246. The storage units232 and 232′ are pivotally mounted to the seat set 210, for exampleusing a shaft 248, a portion of which is visible in FIG. 7. The storageunits 232 and 232′ are disposed in a generally upright position underthe seat bottom 224, aligned with the front edge thereof so that thefront wall 240 is substantially flush with the front edge of the seatbottoms 224 and 224′, respectively. In this position, small itemscontained in the storage units 232 and 232′, indicated generally at 250,are prevented from falling out In this upright position, the storageunit 232 itself does not interfere with the leg room of a passengerseated in seat 212, and only minimally impacts the storage and foot areaunderneath the seat bottom 224.

The storage unit is loaded or unloaded by first tilting it forward aboutthe shaft 248. A small tab or handle 252 may be provided for thispurpose. In FIG. 7, storage unit 232′ is shown tilted forward. In thisposition, the access opening 234 is accessible by the passenger. Means(not shown) may be provided both for keeping the storage unit 232 in anupright position when not being loaded or unloaded, and for preventingit from pivoting too far forward when opened.

The foregoing has described a seating arrangement having one or morestorage features. While specific embodiments of the present inventionhave been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various modifications thereto can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoingdescription of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the bestmode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose ofillustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the inventionbeing defined by the claims.

1. A passenger seat comprising: a frame for being attached to a floor ofa vehicle; a seat bottom carried by said frame for supporting apassenger; an upwardly-extending seat back carried by said frame; and astorage unit disposed underneath said seat bottom, said storage unithaving an access opening disposed at a front end thereof and beingmounted so as to be moveable between: a first position in which saidaccess opening is readily accessible by a passenger seated on said seatbottom, and a second position in which said storage unit is held againstsaid a lower surface of said seat bottom so as to reduce the intrusionof said storage unit into a space defined by said seat bottom and saidframe.
 2. The passenger seat of claim 1 wherein said storage unit isgenerally rectangular and includes opposed top and bottom walls, opposedside walls, and a rear wall disposed opposite said access opening. 3.The passenger seat of claim 2 wherein the front end of said storage unitis pivotally mounted to said seat bottom.
 4. The passenger seat of claim3 further including a releasable latch operable to selectively retainsaid storage unit in said first position.
 5. The passenger seat of claim4 wherein includes a release handle disposed so as to be reachable by apassenger seated on said seat bottom and operably connected to saidlatch so as to release said latch in response to movement of saidhandle.
 6. The passenger seat of claim 1 further including means forselectively retaining said storage unit in said first position.
 7. Apassenger seat for a vehicle, comprising: a frame for being attached toa floor of a vehicle; an upwardly-extending seat back carried by saidframe; a seat bottom carried by said frame for supporting a passenger,said seat bottom having a recess formed therein which is accessible froman upper surface of said seat bottom; and a lid disposed over saidrecess which is moveable between: a closed position in which an uppersurface of said lid forms a seating surface; and an open position inwhich said recess is accessible.
 8. The passenger seat of claim 7, inwhich a rear end of said lid is pivotally attached to said seat bottom.9. The passenger seat of claim 8 wherein said recess extends downwardinto a front face of said seat bottom to improve access thereto.
 10. Thepassenger seat of claim 9 wherein said lid includes adownwardly-extending front panel.
 11. The passenger seat of claim 8wherein said lid includes at least one finger slot formed therein. 12.The passenger seat of claim 7 wherein said upper surface of said lid hasupholstery material or padding disposed thereon.
 13. A passenger seatcomprising: a frame for being attached to a floor of a vehicle; a seatbottom carried by said frame for supporting a passenger; anupwardly-extending seat back carried by said frame; and a storage unitdisposed underneath said seat bottom, said storage unit having an accessopening disposed at an upper end thereof and being mounted so as to bemoveable between: a first position in which said access opening isreadily accessible by a passenger seated on said seat bottom, and asecond position in which said storage unit is held in an uprightorientation underneath said seat bottom with said front wallsubstantially flush with a front edge of said seat bottom.
 14. Thepassenger seat of claim 13 wherein said storage unit is generallyrectangular and includes opposed front and rear walls, opposed sidewalls, and a bottom wall disposed opposite said access opening.
 15. Thepassenger seat of claim 4 wherein the bottom end of said storage unit ispivotally mounted adjacent said floor.
 16. The passenger seat of claim15 further including means for selectively retaining said storage unitin said first position.
 17. The passenger seat of claim 16 furtherincluding a handle disposed so as to be reachable by a passenger seatedon said seat bottom.